Falcon’s Pace

I thank you Lord for raptors wings
To climb up thermals spiral tracings
For height reached, never imagined
Touched for a moment without end

When I leave from your embrace
Let me stoop at falcons pace
A quick return to be with men
Who wish to hear of you again

And when I rest along cliffs face
Let me dream in breaths of grace
Wings unfold, to heaven I soar
At falcons speed, let me explore

Free to find your gentle breeze
Free to fly sweeping journeys
Let me share flights I have flown
So I do not feel, so all alone

One Saturday morning I woke up before dawn and read Sermon 62 from St. Bernard of Clairvaux.  In it he describes his interpretation of a cliff within the book Songs of Songs from the Old Testament. Reflecting on this I knew of a small cliff not to far a walk in the woods in the back of my house.  I went straight for it and when I arrived immediately I heard the screech of what I thought was a hawk. It turned out to be a falcon high above, chasing the thermals.  My mind drifted to thoughts of what if I could go where that falcon goes.

St. Bernard’s sermon became intensely real in the moment as I realized I had been touched by Christ a long time ago and that moment had never left. Yet here I was again soaring to new heights like so many times before, understanding new levels in the experience.  I realized that even at rest I can go to unknown places I have not explored before.  According to St. Bernard, this is one of the things the Church expects from us – to go places that God suggest and tell others of our journeys.  I am just now discovering how to do that, as this poetry is a first step and there is so much more to tell.

For further reflection: St. Bernard of Clairvaux  – Sermons on the Song of Songs (Sermon 62)

Note the link above is for the entire book where Sermon 62 is available. If you have the time to read the entire book of Sermons of the Song of Songs, like most Mystically Spiritual books, is best read in very small digestible increments.

This poem is included in the collection of 40 poems in the category of A Moment for Christ within the Immersive Prayer website is also available in book form on Amazon in Paperback or . All Proceeds go to Charity.